STAR technique

[StJamesInfirmary]

I've got an interview coming up. They've specifically said they will ask competency based questions and I should answer with the STAR technique.

Historically my mind goes blank in interviews and technique goes out the window in favour of content - so I say everything that's needed but answers aren't well structured. Feedback has been that I'm rambling (not in so many words but essentially this is what they've said ) and it's hard to pull out the points.

Anyway, just after any tips for remembering to give my answers the STAR structure (situation, task, action, result) please?!

If you hold one hand in the other or on yojr knee (if seated) and then hold one finger after the other so you don't lose your place
1 situation
2 task
3 action
4 result

by counting on this way you know where you are and to move to the next stage accordingly

Literally say the words, out loud.

'So the situation was that...'
'My task was to...'
'The action I took started with...'
'The result was that...'

You can also do STARR...add on another R for Review. 'With hindsight, next time I would...'

Take a breath. It’s OK to pause before answering.
Practice some answers, I write them out. You can probably pre prepare a few answers which will fit a multitude of questions. Eg a scenario that demonstrates I can work under pressure, may also be a time I had to work in a team, and bring about change etc
Just keep practising, writing the answers out, rehearsing them out loud, recording yourself and listening back, getting someone else to listen and feedback- it gets batter with practice.

Good advice already.

Id add, don’t be afraid to stall! I often say “that’s an interesting question, I’ll just take a moment to think of the best example for you”. Or if getting a bit rambly “sorry, I went a little off track there, I’ll just back up a bit”. Honestly, I’ve never been marked down for it in an interview, I think interviewers prefer self awareness.

I've always taken my notes into interviews with examples written out, I find it very helpful to refer back to if I think I'm going off piste. Just a key word for each letter as a prompt.

Practice reading your examples out loud - there should be more depth with each part i.e. situation should be the briefest summary possible and result should have the most emphasis.

If you have a tendency to waffle, really think about what detail they need to know to understand the response and what is irrelevant

When I was prepping for an interview like this I used chat gpt for some guidance.
I typed my scenario in and asked it to help me format it into the STAR method.
I didn't word for word relay it in the interview but it was very helpful prep.
I agree with practicing saying it out loud too.